Key Points:

• AI offers significant benefits in healthcare, including improved diagnostic accuracy and enhanced patient care.
• However, AI implementation comes with risks such as data breaches and algorithmic bias.
• Healthcare organisations must balance the advantages of AI with the need for compliance under regulations like HIPAA.
• Metomic provides tailored data security solutions to assist healthcare organisations in mitigating AI-related risks and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations.

AI is transforming healthcare, but with every new technology, there are risks. How can healthcare organisations navigate the compliance challenges associated with AI?

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the healthcare industry is accelerating (and is expected to grow by 1,618% by 2030), as more companies find that it is revolutionising various aspects of patient care and administrative processes. 

However, as AI continues to be woven into key processes like diagnoses and treatment planning, it's crucial for IT and security teams to comprehend its implications for the safety of patient data and regulatory compliance, such as HIPAA. 

By examining both the advantages and risks associated with AI implementation, IT and security professionals can better navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and enhance data security protocols.

How AI is used in healthcare organisations

Healthcare has been quick to adopt AI, with the global market for AI in healthcare reaching around 11 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, and poised to surge to nearly 188 billion U.S. dollars by 2030. 

This rapid adoption reflects the industry's recognition of AI's potential to transform healthcare delivery and management, with common applications of AI in healthcare including diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient monitoring. 

In diagnostics, AI algorithms analyse medical images to identify patterns and anomalies, assisting healthcare providers in making accurate diagnoses. 

Treatment planning benefits from AI's provision of real-time data and recommendations, enabling personalised care plans tailored to individual patient needs. 

Additionally, AI-powered patient monitoring systems facilitate continuous surveillance of vital signs, allowing for early intervention in case of emergencies.

Leveraging AI's ability to process vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, these applications contribute to improved efficiency and better patient outcomes.

What are the benefits of using AI in healthcare?

According to a study conducted by Mayo Clinic Proceedings, healthcare providers agreed with AI-recommended diagnoses in 84% of cases. Following retraining, the AI's diagnostic accuracy improved from approximately 97% to about 98%.

AI brings a multitude of advantages to healthcare, revolutionising traditional practices and improving patient outcomes. 

One significant benefit is the substantially enhanced diagnostic accuracy that can be achieved with AI algorithms. These algorithms analyse vast datasets with remarkable speed and precision, aiding healthcare providers in making more accurate diagnoses.

Furthermore, AI enables faster decision-making processes, allowing healthcare professionals to respond promptly to patient needs. 

For instance, AI algorithms can swiftly analyse medical images such as X-rays and MRI scans, identifying abnormalities and providing real-time recommendations to clinicians. This rapid analysis accelerates the diagnostic process, leading to timely interventions and improved patient care.

In essence, the integration of AI in healthcare holds immense promise for advancing diagnostic capabilities, streamlining decision-making processes, and ultimately enhancing patient care standards.

What are the dangers and risks of AI in healthcare?

While AI presents transformative opportunities in healthcare, it also introduces significant risks that must be carefully managed. One major concern is the heightened susceptibility to data breaches, which can compromise sensitive patient information and undermine trust in healthcare systems. 

According to the “Cloud and Threat Report: AI Apps in the Enterprise” every day, an organisation can anticipate approximately 660 prompts to ChatGPT for every 10,000 users. 

And out of 10,000 enterprise users studied, 22 inadvertently posted sensitive data like source code, resulting in an average of 158 incidents each month.

Additionally, algorithmic bias poses a substantial risk, perpetuating disparities in healthcare delivery and exacerbating existing inequalities. For example, a 2019 study found that a widely used AI tool that screened patients for high-risk care management programs was racially biased. 

Addressing these risks requires strong cybersecurity measures, transparent algorithmic processes, and proactive monitoring for potential threats. 

Healthcare organisations must be aware of the risks of using AI tools in their environment,  and ensure the ethical deployment of AI technologies to mitigate these dangers effectively.

Impact of AI on maintaining compliance

The integration of AI into healthcare systems introduces complex considerations for compliance, particularly concerning regulations like HIPAA. 

While there are no set, strict guidelines from HIPAA in place around the usage of AI, it’s still the responsibility of covered entities to follow the letter and spirit of HIPAA regulations. 

However, despite the recognition of AI-related risks, a concerning gap exists in staff training and awareness. While 93% of companies acknowledge the significant risks associated with generative AI, only 17% have provided training or briefings to their staff regarding these dangers.

This discrepancy underscores the pressing need for healthcare organisations to invest in comprehensive compliance strategies that encompass AI technologies. 

By prioritising staff training and awareness initiatives, organisations can mitigate risks and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements, safeguarding patient data and maintaining trust in the healthcare ecosystem.

Mitigating risks of AI in healthcare

In light of the growing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, it's imperative for healthcare organisations to adopt proactive strategies to mitigate the associated risks effectively.

Here's how:

• Conduct comprehensive risk analyses to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats.
• Implement robust security measures such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits.
• Foster transparency about AI algorithms and their use to build trust with patients and stakeholders.
• Partner with organisations or third-parties for expert guidance and innovative solutions tailored to healthcare compliance needs.
• Prioritise staff training, and educate employees on the importance of data security and their role in mitigating AI-related risks, making them your ‘Human Firewall,’

By following these strategies and leveraging the expertise of third-parties, healthcare providers can enhance their data security posture and ensure regulatory compliance in the era of AI-driven healthcare.

📝Report: Healthcare Data Crisis - Uncovering the Alarming Gaps in Data Security and Compliance

In our Healthcare Data Crisis report, we share new data - gathered through our data security platform - that highlights how insecure file-sharing practices are exposing large amounts of sensitive data.

You’ll discover:

• The critical security gaps in healthcare organisations’ file-sharing practice, including the fact that 25% of publicly shared files in healthcare organisations contain Personally Identifiable Information (PII). 

• The common file-sharing mistakes being made by healthcare employees that are bringing about these security risks.
• How a Data Loss Prevention solution like Metomic can pinpoint where sensitive data is located and who has access to it, and automate the necessary actions to safeguard any exposed data.

How Metomic can help

Metomic plays a crucial role in assisting healthcare organisations in navigating the complex landscape of data privacy and compliance, especially in the context of AI implementation. 

Here's how Metomic's solutions and services are tailored to address AI-related risks:

• Compliance: Metomic assists healthcare organisations in navigating data privacy regulations, such as HIPAA, with precision and confidence.
• Automation: Through innovative tools and automated workflows, Metomic empowers healthcare providers to proactively monitor and manage data privacy, mitigating risks associated with AI implementation.
• Analytics: Metomic's advanced analytics capabilities enable organisations to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in AI systems, enhancing data security and patient trust.

By partnering with Metomic, healthcare organisations can effectively manage the challenges posed by AI in healthcare while ensuring compliance and maintaining patient trust.

Conclusion

From discussing the various applications of AI in healthcare organisations to examining the risks and challenges associated with its implementation, it’s clear that it’s crucial to strike the right balance between harnessing the benefits of AI and meeting regulatory compliance standards.

By understanding the advantages and risks of AI, healthcare providers can navigate these complexities with precision, and leverage AI technologies to enhance patient care while safeguarding sensitive data. 

Ready to protect your organisation's data and strengthen your compliance obligations while using AI tools? Book a personalised demo or get in touch with our team today to learn how Metomic can secure your health data.